Informational reports provide summaries and describe recurring activities as wel
ID: 369103 • Letter: I
Question
Informational reports provide summaries and describe recurring activities as well as situational, nonrecurring events. They deliver information to neutral or receptive readers. Even though they are generally conversational and informal, you should apply the lessons you have learned about the clarity and conciseness of effective writing to short informational reports as well.
1. Informational reports require (extensive background material / main points to be immediately visible / main points to be placed in the closing) .
Read the activity report, and then answer the questions that follow.
GoodPet Inc.
Date: May 15, 2013
To: Shen Gupta, Executive Marketing Director at GoodPet Inc.
From: Joseph Pelletier, Marketing Manager at GoodPet Inc.
Subject: Weekly Activity Report
2. What effective structural cue does this activity report use to help the reader?
Underlining
Justified right margins
Headings
3. What is effective about the needs section of the activity report?
It summarizes in an abbreviated, easy-to-read format.
It offers a lot of background material.
It is organized indirectly.
Consider the scenario, and then answer the question.
You have just returned from a business conference in Seattle and need to write a report detailing the event.
4. When organizing the report, what should you remember? Check all that apply.
Focus on three to five topics that will interest your reader.
Avoid using chronological sequencing.
Close by synthesizing the value of the trip.
Use chronological sequencing.
Identify the topic in the closing.
5. Progress reports (describe past problems / anticipate future problems / do not discuss problems) .
Consider the scenario, and then answer the question.
You work for an accounting firm, and one of your clients believes that your firm made a mistake on his company audit last year. You have been asked by your supervisor to review the audit and deliver information on your findings. The supervisor will use your report to determine whether the client is correct.
6. What type of short informational report have you been asked to write?
A periodic report
A summary
An investigative report
ACTIVITY SUMMARY Highlights of my activities for the week ending on May 14 follow:Explanation / Answer
2. What effective structural cue does this activity report use to help the reader?
Headings
3. What is effective about the needs section of the activity report?
It summarizes in an abbreviated, easy-to-read format.
4. When organizing the report, what should you remember? Check all that apply.
Focus on three to five topics that will interest your reader.
Close by synthesizing the value of the trip.
Use chronological sequencing.
6. What type of short informational report have you been asked to write?
An investigative report